City of Santa Cruz

The Wharf, a century-old hub of economic vitality, is undergoing revitalization through the Wharf Master Plan, aiming to align with evolving market needs and community goals while leveraging its historic significance and economic potential. This plan recognizes the Wharf's multifaceted roles, including its importance as a historic landmark, recreational space, and economic asset. Three interconnected strategies focus on enhancing public spaces, improving commercial areas, and maximizing the Wharf's appeal for locals and visitors alike. 

The Wharf Master Plan, a testament to the resilience of our community, has been in development for many years and was adopted by Santa Cruz City Council in 2024 following the devastating Winter Storms of 2023 and 2024. This adaptive response showcases our commitment to preserving and enhancing this historic landmark.

The last two winters have been rough in Santa Cruz, with intense rain, wave action, and localized flooding. The recent severe storm damage to our Wharf caused significant damage to the end of the Wharf, where extreme waves destroyed parts of the structure, resulting in the closure of the Dolphin Restaurant and the end of the Wharf. 

As our community contends with the escalating impact of increasingly severe coastal storms, it becomes imperative that we leverage the Wharf Master Plan to propel these initiatives forward and invest in the future of the Wharf. This strategic approach aligns with our commitment to resilience and sustainability, as outlined in the Public Works plan and other major investments. The overarching goal is to improve recreation amenities while safeguarding public access, ensuring the Wharf remains a resilient and sustainable focal point for our community. 

The Dolphin has been a significant community asset and a valued partner on the Wharf. This decision was not taken lightly and was based on the recommendation of consulting engineers, who concluded that repairing the damaged wharf infrastructure and pilings while the Dolphin is in place would not be feasible.  

Our teams have been diligently conducting extensive evaluations on this section of the Wharf and the Dolphin building over the years, with the aim of better understanding its condition and necessary repairs. These evaluations, carried out in 2013, 2015, and 2020, have led to several repairs implemented to strengthen this particular area, which is known for its susceptibility to intense impact from the ocean. Since securing a Wharf Maintenance Permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers and California Coastal Commission in November 2021, the City has made significant improvements, including the installation of 28 new pilings, replacement of over 9,000 square feet of decking and pavement, upgrades to 1 mile of perimeter fencing, and numerous additional repairs to the Wharf structure, boat landings, stage, and facilities.  

Following extensive evaluations from the preeminent coastal engineering firm, Moffat and Nichol, we have determined that the Dolphin Restaurant will need to be demolished before the end of the Wharf can be repaired. While we are still early in the process, we plan to begin construction in Fall 2024. 

The recently approved Wharf Master Plan by Santa Cruz City Council has also identified this area for repair and calls for a public reimagining process to inform what will be built in the future. This discussion, which is expected to be part of planned outreach for projects recently funded by the Coastal Conservancy and aligns with the adopted direction from Council on the Wharf Master Plan, will explore the possibility of rebuilding the Dolphin or another business at the end of the Wharf together with other visitor-serving facilities. 

Our Economic Development team continues conversations with the Owner of the Dolphin regarding Pop-Up opportunities, and we look forward to continuing to work with him on the Wharf.

Temporary repairs to the Wharf, necessitated by damages from last winter's storms, have been completed while engineers finalize plans and specifications for permanent restoration. Visible beams (as seen in the photo) are connected to underlying pile caps, preventing further collapse and ensuring a safe and efficient environment for subsequent permanent repair work.